Villa Rundle Gardens

Villa Rundle gardens located in Victoria, Gozo have a large variety of local and imported trees offering shade from the hot sun during summer. It is a perfect resting place for many shoppers and for people who just want sit back enjoy the green surroundings away from the hustle and bustle of the busy town.

Villa Rundle was once part of a British government experimental farm, which helped farmers to upgrade the quality of their livestock and produce. William Millard, as the story goes, chief officer of the Gozitan civil service, sought assistance from Governor Sir Leslie Rundle (and particularly funds) to build a garden in Victoria on part of the existing farm. With the Governor’s backing, funds were released from the official coffers and works started.

The Governor left the islands before the project was completed. However, Millard thought it a fitting gesture to name the gardens in honor of his support.

Today, the Villa Rundle gardens have moved on from their initial planting and design concept. While their essence has been retained, with the main pathways meandering as they did before, they have been fused with others to allow the walker to feel more engaged with the flowers and trees.

In 2009 the gardens was closed for refurbishment and reopened in 2012 after an extensive rehabilitation project partly financed through EU Funds.

The garden is divided in several parts accordance with the seasons – designed to inspire the cool of winter through to the warmth of summer, with the use of carefully selected planting. A herb garden brings even more color and variety, the idea being to have a rolling planting scheme to keep the gardens awash in a wide-ranging palette. Several features have also been incorporated to create a family-friendly park, including an aviary that attracts the children, as well as sitting areas for those watching over them.

In the middle of Villa Rundle Gardens there is a fountain offering tranquility and making it a great place to relax and unwind after a day of sightseeing in Gozo. To the bird lovers’ joy, the gardens also have a birdhouse with different colorful birds.

In the farther part of the garden there is a mini amphitheater, with purpose-built, underground changing rooms, designed to be the stage for intimate concerts and performances.